Crocs!

Tomorrow is Time Trials and the official kick off of our 2024 swim season.  Below you will find a bunch of information to help plan for tomorrow.  Each week, you can expect a similar email before each meet.

REMINDERS:

• Team photos are this afternoon at the pool.  Individual photos start at 4:30pm and the team photo will be at 5:30pm.  Our kickoff party will follow from 6-8pm.
• All swimmers should wear their team shirt for the team photo.  If you have not picked up your team shirt, Melanie will be at the pool by 4pm and you can pick it up there.  If you ordered caps, she has those in stock.  We are still awaiting delivery of the team towel order.
• Two different apps that will be helpful during the swim season:
  • SwimTopia:  This is the app linked to our team website.  It will list your swimmer’s events and heat/lane once published.  Results will be available once finalized as well.  There is a $2.99 per month fee for the pro subscription, which provides the heat sheets and meet results.
  • Time Drops Live:  This app links to our timing system.  It provided almost up-to-the-minute results, which allows you to see your swimmer’s times as well as what event/heat is currently swimming.  You will need a 4 digit code to access results, which we will post/announce on Saturday morning.  There is no fee for this app.  Please understand that times shown in Time Drops Live are not official until verified by our computer team.

CROC BUDDIES:  We will have photo buttons available for our older Crocs to pick up to match them with their 6&under Croc buddy.  There will be a table setup near the ribbons table, so please be on the lookout.  We would love for each older Crocs to connect with their Croc buddy at time trials.

TIME TRIALS:

MORNING SETUP/PARKING:  Please read this carefully.

The gates will be unlocked at 6:15 am for you to come in and set up your tent.  No one will be allowed in before 6:15 am except the setup crew and board members - they need to get in and start setting up the facility.  Please note that the 'front row' area above the retaining wall on the non-block end of the pool is reserved for diamond and platinum sponsor tents.  Otherwise, you are welcome to set up on any grassy areas inside and outside the gate area.  There is no set up allowed on any paved area around the pool.

No parking is allowed in the pool parking lot unless you are a sponsor with a reserved spot or team computer personnel transporting equipment.  The lot will be open for drop off of equipment until 6:30 - after that, it will be closed to traffic for safety reasons.  If you arrive after 6:30, please plan to drop off your equipment at the end of the driveway on Coles Crossing Drive.

Parking in the Sampson back lot is easiest, although be aware that many spots are blocked off due to construction/storage equipment for the upcoming renovations happening at Sampson this summer.  Please observe all NO PARKING signs on Coles Crossing Drive.  We need to be courteous to our non-Croc neighbors - we don't want visits from law enforcement or tow trucks - we have especially had issues in the past with blocking Coles Crossing Drive to thru traffic where it narrows down west of the pool.  Also, please remember it is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and there is one right in front of the pool...

CIRCLE IN BY 7:30 AM:  Each week, all swimmers MUST circle in by 7:30 at the pool to tell the coaches and computer volunteers that they are there.  If a swimmer’s name is not circled, then the clerk of course assumes they are not there and they may be scratched from the meet.  If you are running late, contact a friend and get them to circle in for you.

The circle-in board will be hanging on the fence by the bike racks.  There will be volunteers stationed to help circle your swimmers’ names.

OTHER STUFF:  If you go to the home tab on the team website and click on ‘meet entry’ (even though is says it is closed), it will have a list of the event numbers that your child is swimming.  It is very helpful to write their event numbers on their arm with a sharpie (and maybe yours too!) so they can listen for their events and know when to go to the ready bench to line up.  The ready bench will form under the tents by the pergola again this year.

WARM-UPS will begin at 7:45 and they are required for all swimmers.  We will practice team cheers once warmups are done and then we will start the meet.

WEATHER:  It looks like we’re going to have a little cooler weather on Saturday, with forecasted highs of 83 and partly cloudy.  That said, it will still be a long day.  Bring plenty of sunscreen and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

VOLUNTEERS:  There is no common volunteer check in area.  The lead in your area will confirm you have reported to your shift and ensure that you get credit for volunteering.  Please listen for the announcer to announce shift changes, timer/scribe meeting, officials meeting and ready bench meeting.  If you have questions, ask the lead in your area, check with Alexis Dempsey (our volunteer coordinator), or come by the announcers area.

CONCESSIONS:  We will be grilling burgers and hotdogs and will have pizza, pasta, and an array of snacks and candy available for sale along with water, Gatorade and sodas.  We will be accepting cash and credit cards ($5 minimum).  Smart Drinks food truck will be there in the morning, offering coffee, tea and smoothies and Bahama Bucks will be there a little bit later in the morning.

CHECKLIST for what you should bring:  swimmers!!, suits, goggles, caps, sunscreen, water, a sharpie, towels, tent, chairs, food/snacks (or money for concessions) and patience.  Please understand that we are all volunteers and our goal is to run an efficient meet and get everyone done and home as quickly as possible.  As usual, we have many new families on the team and there can be a learning curve as everyone figures out where to go and when.

See everyone tomorrow.  Eat ‘em Up, Crocs!

JT Gasson

President, Coles Crocs